It’s that time of year again–the season of scarves, mittens, and Peppermint Mochas from Starbucks. In celebration of the upcoming holiday festiveness, I’ve asked my colleagues to share their favorite something that’s “red and green.”

Surrounded by beautiful Benjamin Moore hues every day, it’s easy to spend an extra few minutes with the color decks to find your personal faves. For me, Cedar Green and Bullseye Red take the Christmas cake:

Cedar Green

Bullseye Red

And speaking of cakes, my all-time favorite thing that’s red and green are, no suprise, Little Debby Christmas Tree Cakes. My grandma used to have these fully in stock whenever my brothers, sister or I would drop in for a visit.

HoHoHo meets YumYumYum

Meghan’s got THE dish…

‘Tis the season for red noses, green glittered gingerbread cookies and families gathering to dine and dish sinful secrets about one another–the later being one of my fave holiday happenings. So, in the spirit of tattletale table talk and our colors of the month, I present this pleasing plate from Italian company Seletti’s new Hybrid Collection.

Designed to illustrate the juxtaposition of Eastern and Western porcelain in one scrumptious piece, each plate features two different yet complementary styles with a central dividing line. It’s unique, captivating, colorful and sure to get the conversation going—if news of what grandma was doing with grandpa doesn’t first.

Check out the complete collection here: http://www.ctrlzak.com/products_9.html

Lisa Gets Inspi(RED)…

This time of year gets me in the mood for giving, and what’s better than gifting for a good cause?  I was under the impression that (RED) was a Gap invention, but it turns out the retailer is just one of an incredible group of collaborators creating products to fight AIDS. So spend your GREEN on these, my family’s favo(RED) items for giving, and giving back.

I’m wishing, with all my heart, so Solange Azagury-Partridge’s incredible silver and red lacquer necklace.

My husband would be “tickled red” to have a pair of these Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.

Teddy’s only a tot, but the guy still knows good design. He’d drool (even more) for a Missoni-collab Bugaboo.

For more (RED) gift ideas to get you seeing GREEN, visit http://www.joinred.com/red/#shopred

Eloise Finds Nostalgic Charm…

I am an incurable Christmas fanatic. I exude a child-like hysteria for the holiday, unsurpassed even by the youngest members of my family. My fervor for the holidays is likely inherited; throughout my childhood, my mother made Christmas into a winter wonderland, with Frank Sinatra, warming fires, and home- baked cookies galore.

There is one problem. With a background in interior design, my mother made our family Christmas tree in to an design spectacular of sorts; or rather, a beacon not to be touched. She amassed the most beautiful stock of ornaments from across the globe, and then painstakingly hung up each and every one. It was an implicit family rule; the tree was to be admired from afar, until Christmas morning.

Two years ago I moved to New York and found myself celebrating my first Christmas season without the holiday cheer of my mother.  Basking in nostalgia for holidays past, a friend suggested I visit John Derian’s boutique. Walking into his store was like walking into Santa’s Workshop itself. His beautiful ornaments are all hand painted and irresistibly charming. Standing in his wonderful shop, cast aglow by the red and green ornaments throughout, I could only think of those delightful strawberry ornaments that I selected and decorated my first Christmas tree with!

Michelle loves sweets–it was “mint” to be…

I love all things minty.  That tasty refreshing zing, alone or paired with sweets & savories, always has my mouth watering. Spearmint, peppermint, lemon mint, whatever type of mint it is–I dig it.

This year I’ve come up with the ingenious plan of combining my two favorite seasonal treats into one glorious (and minty) entity: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream topped off with Peppermint Bark. I think I’ll call it “Magnificently Minty by Michelle.”

Typically, I replace one with the other as the seasons change, though from here on out Summer and Winter are one in the same.

What? You don’t wear bikinis in the snow?

Ho Ho Ho,

Josh